Liam Phillips

KANGAROO Flat goalkeeper, Amy Hammond, was one of three South Australians named to the Jillaroos squad – the Australian under-21 women’s field hockey team – set to face Japan in a four-match series in Canberra later this month.
Hammond, 21, took a liking to her spot in goals in her early junior days, where players would take turns at goalkeeper, and quickly found out she was more than handy in the role.
After gaining experience through the juniors circuit, Hammond appeared in four games for the Adelaide Fire in the nation’s premier field hockey league, Hockey One.
“Getting to play in those games has been really exciting,” Hammond said.
“I get to play against the current and former Hockeyroos, which is amazing.
“I got to work with the other goalie in the team, Ash Wells, who’s one of the current Hockeyroos (118 caps for Australia), so being able to learn off her was such a great experience.”
Hammond was selected for the initial National Junior Squad after her performances in last year’s under-21 national tournament, as well as her Hockey One showings, and now has a chance to prove herself as she leaves the junior ranks.
“Goalkeepers mature at a later age… the current Hockeyroos number-one and number-two keepers are both in their early 30s.
“I think this tournament is a big step for me and really proving that I can perform at this level, and then it’s a matter of taking any opportunities that Hockey Australia organise, and really owning them.”
With multiple goalkeepers named in the squad, Hammond will be hoping to impress in the week of training in Canberra leading up to the series, which will feature four matches in five days.
Jillaroos head coach, Tim White, spoke about the introduction of the seven new faces to the squad, including Hammond.
“The main reason around introducing some new players is to give them some exposure at an international level,” White said.
“Being the national junior squad, we look to give opportunities to a wide range of athletes, importantly making sure that they deserve the opportunity first and foremost.
“It’s a matter of making sure that whenever we get an opportunity, we give this group more exposure.
“Every time we get the players together, we see the benefit of playing matches at international level and the development of individual athletes.”